Day 24

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Tuesday 7th Traveling to Lawn Hill

We got away from Gregory river by 9 am, sad to be leaving but will be calling back on our way south. Wonderful drive to Adels Grove where we had morning tea. Then another 10 km to Lawn Hill NP. The scenery is so beautiful and changes so often I have taken shots along the way from the vehicle as we are driving. Very hot, 35 deg. Lots of birds. I’m going on the boat cruise as there is no way I can row 6 km. I will then walk to the falls in the afternoon. Had a cold shower to cool off then got tea. We are here for 2 full days then leave Friday 10th. We have full telstra coverage 4G with blue tick.

The road to Lawn Hill, some of the tar sealed roads were worse than gravel roads.

This is the road to Adels Grove. It is a Caravan Park. Been very wet here two weeks ago so we have timed it nicely, lovely and green really.

Still not much water for the animals, but better than none.

We are here, yahoo, only 4 km now to the camping area.

Beautiful red soil and rocks. Very crumbly looking. The skies are so blue.

Good amount of foliage.

Well, this is the colour of the Lawn creek/river.

Another wider view.

Termite mounds, I have seen them reds, browns, creams, I’ve been told that what ever the colour of the soil then that’s the colour of the mounds. Makes sense.

IMG_8986Female Purple-crowned Fairy-wren

This is the Female of the Purple-crowned Fairy-wren.

These are Crimson Finches, on the tree in our camp spot. How lucky. The red one is the male, other two females.

Dragonfly on the path where I was walking.

This is the Male Purple-crowned Fairy-wren.

Red winged parrot.

Grey-crowned Babbler.

White-browed Robin.

Went for a bit of a walk and just love the colours in the rock face, but trees are growing out of cracks, make them hardy up here to survive.

Day 23

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Monday 6th. June

Well woke to a lovely morning, heaps of people moving out and one new one came In and its only 9.02 am. We have the Northern kookaburra, they are so funny the sounds they make. We walked up into the town which is 1 pub, 1 shop general Store but only necessary groceries really and petrol, all very exe. The bird life here is magic, so many different types. Not cold tonight. I got the washing dry, had showers. Off to Lawn Hill tomorrow. Met some lovely travelers.

Lovely reflections on the Gregory River where we are camped.

Large area’s for camping, Gregory River.

This camping area is on the other side under the bridge.

Gregory River down stream.

Under the bridge.

Kites, we have a nest above our camp spot. 🙂

Jack and Alice whom we are traveling with having breakfast in the sun by the rive, doesn’t get much better than this.

Kite taking off from drinking.

The cub set up for two nights only this stop. We keep it simple for a couple of nights.

Getting the shower bottles ready to heat up for the shower. Plenty room over this side of the bridge for camping.

Wee frog while I was crossing the rocks,

Kite preening.

I think this is a young Great bower bird.

White Gaped Honey Eater.

Peaceful Dove, they are so small compared to the other Doves.

A better shot of the Young Great Bower bird.

White gaped Honey eater.

Water trucks come in all day, they are doing the road works and its at least one hour away from here, so a long haul.

Yellow Tinted honey eater bathing.

Here is a better view of the Yellow tinted honey eater.

Black chinned honey eaters.

White browed robin.

Masked Finch I think.

Not sure the name of this bird.

Rufus Whistler.

Day 22

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Sunday 5th June

Got away from Terry Smiths Lookout by 8.25 am. Great spot to stay, nice and quiet as well. Had a good drive through to Burke and Wills roadhouse. Had morning tea, fueled up all set for Lawn Hill. A wedgie was across the road but to far. On our next leg we encountered so many things, Bustards, Emu’s, Brolgas, Sea Eagle, and a Wedge tail Eagle landed on a carcass in front of us and we all but hit it, I didn’t even get a shot away as I was so flabbergasted thinking we were going to hit it. There were all sorts of birds at the rest stop as well. We arrived at Gregory River just after lunch, once all set up had a bite to eat down the river, just a beautiful spot, with amazing bird life. Jack and Alice are on the lower side down by the river, we chose to stay up the top in shade. Here for two nights, will be staying here again on our return from Lawn Hill.

Had Lunch here. lovely spot, the people are new owners and they are so helpful, very friendly.

BBQ area down the end at the Burke & Wills.

As we drive off there’s cattle on the road, they have the right of way. We are following that sign.

Speaks for its self.

The Termite mounds are getting bigger around this area.

Road narrows. Glad it hasn’t rained for awhile, very muggy side of the roads when its been wet.

Off the tar seal for now.

Leichhardt River, so nice to see water in some of the creeks and rivers.

Interesting watching how the foliage changes from time to time.

Dry river bed.

The cattle never even moved, they are use to the traffic.

Good sign.

Nearly there.

Savannah way next time.

We are staying at the National Park.

This is our morning tea spot. Gregory River. Clean and fast flowing.

View towards the bridge, we come over this then turn down to here. Lots of room.

View from our kitchen. In the shade all day, weather was very hot.

Afternoon tea spot, lots of Kites and other little birds.

Brolga’s on side of road.

Kite at the river.

They have a nest in the large tree just above us.

Day 21

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Saturday 4th.

Off to Cloncurry, stock up on food, fuel and anything else we might need for 9 days off the grid, heading to Gregory river to camp. We stopped and had a break at Quamby rest area then stayed the night at Terry Smiths Lookout. Nice camp spot, plenty of room, toilets, dump point, just make sure the water is operating.

Old remains at the Quamby rest area.

Just north of Cloncurry, the Albert hotel, aka, The Quamby Pub was built as the customs house in the 1860’s The word Quamby is aboriginal meaning being “stop”, rest awhile. The timbers in the building are beautiful, shame its all falling down.

Quamby Hotel,

View from the camper trailer at Terry Smith’s Lookout.

Day 20

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Friday 3rd

We decided to go kayaking today while its not to bad weather, bit of a breeze and we wanted to get photo’s of the crocodiles, they are fresh water so not to dangerous in a kayak.Rowed over to the island and some lovely wee bays. Didn’t see any fresh water crocodiles.

Don getting ready to take some photo’s. We are using our underwater camera’s not the good one’s.

Heading back home, nice and sheltered in this bay. I’m in Jacks inflatable kayak, hes paddling, i’m taking photo’s. 🙂 thanks Jack.

Looking at the Dam wall from the kayak.

Day 19

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Thursday 2nd June

Went into Mt Isa and spent the day pretty much there. The part we went to get cap for the toilet funnel but it hadn’t arrived yet, it had gone to Winton. We did get a cap for the pole pipe, so that was good, got gas and other wee nick nacks. Went to the lookout, amazing view, the town is built right beside the mine, its copper they mine. Traveling through was so beautiful, the countryside changes and the colours are incredible. All the rock seems to be a shale of some sorts. Got back here and had afternoon tea with J&A. Weather is fine, meant to be cool and windy tomorrow. Darwin and Uluru has had heavy rains. The scenery around this area is amazing, hilly, red rocks and short trees. Early tea. Met a couple and the lady is getting into photography so gave her some tips. Bed early, already it’s 9 pm.

Not many images today, this is a White Plumed Honey eater, its trying to shelter from a shower of rain.

Day 18

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Wednesday 1st June Day 18

Well it is raining, started quiet early after we went to sleep last night. Has rained fairly constant. The land needs this, as campers it’s fine overnight but nice to fine up now, well not a lot to do in the rain. Soaking the clothes to hang out when fine. Had a early tea, cleaned up and retired to the camper.

Just down the bank from our camp site, looking south. very overcast.

Looking up the opposite way. This dam is a lot higher than it has been, last year people were camping where the water is.

Our camp site.

Very dark skies tonight.

Beautiful Kite.

Day 17

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Tuesday 31st Traveling to Corolla Dam.

Set the alarm for 6 am, got up and had breakfast, got all ready to close the camper and I was on the phone when I saw a big bird in the tree, it was a Kite, not a wedge tail like I first thought. On the road by 8.20 am, what a beautiful drive, the country side changed many times, from really green to red, flat to really hilly out crops with a lot of rock, then as we got closer to Cloncurry the hills were amazing. Had morning tea at the Info center after we did the shopping at Woolworths. Nice town, not a lot of shops though. While we were at the info center a lady came up and asked if I was camping back at the rest area, I said yes, she said, you have lost 4 poles along the road back there. Went back to the camper and told Don and yes the cap for the tent poles vibrated loose off the pole carrier and we have lost 7 poles . Tried at Cloncurry to get some more, no luck, so will try at Mt Isa when we go to get the toilet cap. Saw a Wedge-tailed eagle today fly off a dead carcass on side of road. We arrived here at Corella Dam at 12.15 pm, quiet a few people here and the water levels are up as we can’t camp on the peninsula where J&A usually camp, so did a bit of a drive around, finally found a top spot, got all set up with only minimal things out as if it rains we have to move fast due to bad soil. No photos tonight as it’s very overcast and windy. Sat around a wee fire until 7 pm, we’re all pretty tired so have retired to our vans. Here are some photo’s of the days travel. A lot of these I take while Don drives.

Heading to Corella Dam, on the Mt Isa road.

Rocky outcrop.

The Town

I have noticed that a lot of the out back towns have beautiful wide streets, plenty room for parking with a RV. The bakery makes lovely fresh cream buns with real cream and jam,

Just a quick shot as we drove through town.

I just loved the scenery, the changing colours of the hills. Still lovely and green from all the flooding and rain they have had out west, we are very lucky to see it this way.

Another amazing hill.

Arriving ar Corella Dam.

Could not believe how many campers were here, but its a big area.

Wow, look at this for a set up. Lovely people, I was chatting with the owners, they have been everywhere, so interesting chatting . Continue with safe travels.

Day 16

Posted on July 21, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Monday 30th Fullerton Rest Area.

Early start this morning. J&A went on in to Winton to do a few things and we met up with them when we did the toilet dump and fueled up. Heading to Cloncurry, stopping for morning tea at a wonderful spot where there were some jump ups. Then carried onto the Blue Heeler Pub, had a bit to eat, lots of history in the place. On the road after lunch we saw Crocodile Dundee Pub, not the same looking as the movie. Fueled up as it was cheap. 1.15 liter. Lovely country side, flat as, dry as, so sad. We checked out the Combo waterhole, gee it was hot walking to the water hole, but interesting story as to the Chinese building the stone pathway. Saw lots of gibber stone. The road goes on forever. We are camped at Fullerton River rest area. Really nice stop over and stayed one night only. Did some milky way shooting.

Early morning at Winton at the Long Water Hole, packing up and heading for Cloncurry with a stop over night somewhere like Fullerton River Rest Area, but I saw no river. 🙂

Some very long Road Trains, if they have only 3 dogs they didnt seem so big after seeing many with 4 dogs.

The road goes on forever. Jump-ups in the distance.

A jump up.

A road train with 4 dogs.

Jump-ups.

Windmill not doing much good.

Many of these rest area’s every where we have traveled, so good, with toilets and shade for eating.

Very flat land and horizon, makes you feel quiet small, in the realm of things.

Heading into Combo Water Hole, that’s Jack & Alice up ahead, its so dusty we’er stay well behind. Got the air-con on its very hot outside.

Interesting.

Map to show where we are and where we’ve come from today.

Walking to the Combo Water Hole.

These are the stone walkways that the Chinese built and there’s water! There are many of these we crossed.

Interesting read.

Under the shade of a Coolibah tree.

More water. Its dirty looking but was still inviting, but to muddy to take a dip, dammmmm.

Lots of interesting thing here to read.

Heading out from the combo water hole, we have been so lucky to see so much greenery as it was very wet only two weeks prior to this trip.

Lunch is coming up.

Had a bit to eat, very interesting place. One can camp here if they want, there is a caravan park out back.

Well this is a pub with lots of history.

Walkabout Creek.

If you saw the Movie you’ll recognize this.

I’m very fascinated with Termite mounds. These are small ones.

Milky way at our rest stop. Fullerton River Rest area.

Day 15

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Judy's Trekabout

Sunday 29th

Got up for sunrise but was a bit of a sizzler. Made a cuppa and waited for the sun to appear. Got breakfast before the flies come. Still very windy and in the shade quiet cool. Sun is hot but having the wind helps . Caught up with Robert T, met him at Lara, now at Long Water Hole Winton. Had a good chat with him. We all did star trails, milky way. Photographed birds, cows and packed up what we could.